MSG Network analyst Kelly Tripucka talks with the Post’s Justin Terranova about what Mike Woodson and the Knicks have to do to turn the season around now that Mike D’Antoni has resigned.
Q: What did you make of the team’s impressive performance in Woodson’s first game?
A: They played with enthusiasm, like they had something to prove, which is usually what happens when there’s a coaching change. They came out with energy, they had fun, came out with purpose, played hard. They got a win and I’m sure feel good about themselves.
Q: How does Woodson turn this team around?
A: He has to use his head coaching experience to get these guys to play hard every night. It’s going to be hard to implement a brand new system with 20 games left in the season, so he has to keep it simple and hope the players respond. He has to really rally the troops now, both on offense and defense, and hope that they all buy in.
Q: How much pressure is there on Carmelo Anthony with the perception that he is the reason D’Antoni left?
A: There is pressure on the whole team, not just Carmelo. People want to see the team play well and Carmelo and Amar’e (Stoudemire) are front and center, but winning will solve everything.
Q: What is the difference between the Anthony you saw in Denver and now?
A: He’s pressing. He’s trying too hard. Relax and play. I was a scorer, just like Carmelo Anthony. I was third in the league in scoring one year. . . You find out how your teammates play and you fit in.
Q: Do you think the difficulty of changing to a new system will make it harder for the Knicks to make the playoffs?
A: I think Woodson will stick to the basics. They may see more isolations with Carmelo and Amar’e, and they will certainly include some things they’ve done all season, but with limited practice time it will be hard to put a bunch of new things in. The schedule gets tough, starting with a home and home this weekend with Indiana (both on MSG). If the team does their job, the opportunity is certainly there for the Knicks to be a playoff team.